Mavericks (33-15) at Celtics (37-11) 2/4

[FLCeltsFan]

  at 
Dallas Mavericks (33-`5) at Boston Celtics (37-11)
Friday, February 4
8:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #49, Home Game #26
TV:  ESPN, CSN-NE, FSSW-DAL
Radio:  WEEI, KESN
TD Garden 


Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
  vs 
Rajon Rondo vs Jason Kidd

Shooting Guard
  vs 
Ray Allen vs DeShawn Stevenson

Small Forward
  vs 
Paul Pierce vs Brian Cardinal

Power Forward
  vs 
Kevin Garnett vs Dirk Nowitski   

Center
  vs 
Kendrick Perkins vs Tyson Chandler 




Boston Bench Mob
Marquis Daniels
Glen Davis
Luke Harangody
Nate Robinson
Von Wafer
Semih Erden

Injured
Jermaine O'Neal (knee) out
Delonte West (wrist)  out 
Shaquille O'Neal (leg)  questionable

D-League
Avery Bradley 



Dallas Reserves
Dominique Jones
Shawn Marion
Jose Juan Barea
Brendan Haywood
Brian Cardinal
Ian Mahinmi
Jason Terry


Injuries
Rodrigue Beaubois (foot)  out 
Peja Stojakovik (knee) out
Caron Butler (knee)  out 

Team Connections
Caron Butler and Ray Allen both attended the University of Connecticut
Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle played for the Celtics from 1984-87
Marquis Daniels played for the Mavericks from 2003-06.
Kevin Garnett played for Dallas Assistant Coach Dwane Casey when Casey coached the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2005-07
Jermaine O’Neal played for Rick Carlisle in Indiana from 2003-07

Game Notes
This is the second and final meeting between these two teams.  The Mavs won the first meeting in Dallas by 2 points in early November.   In that game,  the Celtics out played the Mavs in just about every category.  The Celtics had 42 rebounds to 38 for the Mavs, 14 offensive rebounds to 4, 38 points in the paint to 32 for Dallas,   just 12 turnovers for the Celtics vs 17 turnovers for the Mavs.  So, what was the big difference in that game?  It was free throws.  The Celtics took just 7 free throws to 20 for the Mavericks.   

Shaq and Perk both missed that game and Jermaine O'Neal put in one of his few appearances in the starting lineup.   Reports out of Thursday's practice were that Shaq sat out and was questionable for this one.  I originally had Shaq starting, but given that Perk is playing extremely well I changed the lineup to include Perk who should get his first start of the season in this game. 

This is the Celtics first game home after a successful road trip and hopefully they brought their focus and energy back with them from the West coast and will come out ready to play in this one.   The Mavericks come into this game on a 6 game win streak.  They have averaged 102.8 points per game during the win streak.  But they are also playing defense as they have held opponents to 96 points during that stretch. 

The Mavs are 7-3 in their last 10 games and 14-7 on the road.  The Celtics are 8-2 in their last 10 games and 22-3 at home.  They are a perfect 16-0 at home vs Eastern conference teams and 6-3 at home vs Western conference teams.   

   Against the Mavs, who have momentum and a ton of confidence right now, the Celtics must come out strong and play hard for 48 minutes.  Anything less and they could find themselves swept by the Mavs this season. 

Key Matchups
  vs
Rajon Rondo vs Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd is one of the top veteran PG's in the league.  He may have lost a step with age, but he has gained some tricks along the way.   Rondo has the speed,  but Kidd has the experience.  All in all, the Celtics should have the advantage if Rondo plays aggressively.  Sitting out the 4th quarter against the Kings should give him motivation and added energy.

  vs 
Kevin Garnett vs Dirk Nowitski 
This should be a great matchup between two of the premiere power forwards in the league.   Dirk has the capability of taking over a game and KG will need to concentrate on his defense to keep him from having a big game.  Both have been playing well and so this should be fun to watch.  Dirk averages 27.3 points per game vs the Celtics, which is the most he scores vs any opponent.  Hopefully KG is ready to lower that average a bit in this one. 

Honorable Mention
Paul Pierce vs Brian Cardinal
Cardinal has started the last 3 games for the Mavericks and it should be fairly easy for Pierce to get his shots against him.  Cardinal is also not a huge threat to score and so it will be easier on Pierce on the defensive end as well.  Pierce has averaged 25.7 ppg against the Mavs since the 05-06 season, which is the most that he averages against any team.  He needs to continue his strong play vs this team.   

Record Watch

 Ray Allen
Ray needs just 9 three pointers to pass Reggie Miller for the all time NBA leader.   He has been shooting the ball exceptionally well and we'll be watching and counting down until he claims the record. 

Keys to the Game
Rebound - Rebounding is so crucial to getting a win.  When the Celtics put out the effort to grab rebounds, more often than not, they are going to get the win.  In their last game, the Mavs out rebounded the Knicks 54-34 and the Celtics can't allow them to control the boards like that in this game. 

Defense - Defense is always crucial to getting a win.  Defense wins games is not just a cliche, it is the truth.  The Celtics must continue to play tough team defense in this and every game.  Against the Mavs, defense is especially crucial because they are 23-1 when they reach 100 points.

Bench Play - The bench was terrible in the first half vs the Kings until Ray let them have it.  The Celtics need the reserves to come in and hold or increase a lead if they have it.   If the starters have to dig out of a hole that the 2nd unit makes, they may not have the energy to close out the game.  The Mavs have a strong bench and so the Celtics bench must show up. 

X-Factor
Revenge and Home Court
The Mavericks beat the Celtics by 2 points in Dallas and the Celtics should come into this game looking to avenge that loss.  They are also at home where they have been taking care of business very well this season.  The home crowd should boost them in their first game back after the road trip. 

[letsgoblue86]

Paul should really be able to go off tomorrow night.

[Edgar]

i dont think theyre deep enough or healthy enough
and matchup wise theres no reason why we shouldnt win tis one

but with the cs who knows

[barefacedmonk]

TP FL.

GO CELTICS!

[Greenbean]

You think the Celtics realize that this is the only "contender" that they have lost to this year...

Nah me neither

[Q_FBE]

i dont think theyre deep enough or healthy enough
and matchup wise theres no reason why we shouldnt win tis one

but with the cs who knows

Actually, I am very concerned about the Bench matchups here. Jason Terry vs Nate Robinson??? Marquis Daniels vs Shawn Marion??? Glen Davis vs Brendon Heywood??? We better hope the Starters give us long strong minutes here. Our bench put us in a hole against Sacremento for christ sake.

Dallas has been on a roll since they beat down the Clippers last week. 

[ACF]

TP FL.

GO CELTICS!

[CelticSooner]

C's got this. Should have beaten the Mavs the first time.

[celticinorlando]

i think boston will play well. i gotta feeling KG is going take stopping Dirk personal

[j804]

Negotiating something with my cable company its been turned off, I may have to rely on the game thread.

 

[Who]

I think this will be a comfortable win. Dallas will hang tough and keep it within distance but the Celtics will always be in control.

The Mavs simply do not have enough quality on the wings. They were shallow on the wings to begin with but the loss of Caron Butler has made this issue even more glaring.

In order to score the ball, Dallas is going to have to rely on small backcourts which should free up Ray Allen and Paul Pierce to have big nights. If Dallas chooses to stay big on the wing (Stevenson + Marion), then their offense will fall apart. Either way, it's a clear advantage for the Celtics.

[JBcat]

I met Mark Cuban last night at "The Greatest Bar" in Boston.   I wished his team well when they are not playing the Celtics.   

[barefacedmonk]

#csnne.com has confirmed with #celtics doc rivers that shaq is out tonight. Also confirmed with Perkins that he will start.

Via Sherrod's twitter

Shaq is out...so, Perkins gets his first start of the season.

[jarufu]

... And so the famous starting five starts!

TP FL ...

[CelticSooner]

Let's go C's!